Cusack is part of a GPA delegation at the Irish Consulate Residence to promote the GPA’s ‘We Wear More than our County Colors’ campaign.

Conor Cusack has been a powerful voice in Ireland on the subject of positive mental health since he revealed his own battle with depression last year. His influential blog has been viewed by over one million readers.

The aim of the ‘We Wear More’ campaign is to encourage and normalize conversations between players and young people in society around the more emotional aspects of their lives and to help them develop effective coping mechanisms for times when things are not going so well.

Ireland has the highest suicide rate in Europe for young women and the second highest for young men. Last year 800 people ended their own lives, tearing apart families, friendships and communities. In Galway alone so far this year 22 people have lost hope to such an extent that they felt there was no alternative, five in one single weekend last month

“We know because of the survey we did with the GPA that the main concern our players have and are experiencing in terms of their health is their emotional well-being and depression, followed by addictions,” said Cusack.

“What we are saying to our players is they wear more than their county jersey. We know you have those issues going on and we want to let you know it doesn’t have to be kept silent, that there is a world-class service to be able to help and support you on your journey back to health.

“You are, as a person, far more important than the sport you play and there are far deeper and vast aspects to your life than just your sport and there are dangers in neglecting that,” added Cusack.

Cusack will be joined at the Residence of Irish Consulate Noel Kilkenny tomorrow by GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell, who will also announce the identities of this year’s Ireland-US Gaelic Heritage Award Honorees.

The Award recipients will be honored at the GPA’s annual Gala Dinner, which takes place at the New York Athletic Club on October 2 next.

Conor Cusack returns to New York to promote GPA mental health campaignPowerful ambassador launches ‘We We More than our County Colours’ Campaign.Sean PottsGaelic Players Association mental health ambassador and former Cork hurler Conor Cusack returns to New York (tomorrow Thursday) to launch the GPA’s latest emotional health and wellbeing initiative. Cusack is part of a GPA delegation at the Irish Consulate Residence to promote the GPA’s ‘We We More than our County Colours’ Campaign. Conor Cusack has been a powerful voice in Ireland on the subject of positive mental health since he revealed his own battle with depression last year. His influential blog has been viewed by over one million readers. The aim of the ‘We Wear More’ campaign is to encourage and normalise conversations between players and young people in society around the more emotional aspects of their lives and to help them develop effective coping mechanisms for times when things are not going so well.Ireland has the highest suicide rate in Europe for young women and the second highest for young men. Last year 800 people ended their own lives, tearing apart families, friendships and communities. In Galway alone so far this year 22 people have lost hope to such an extent that they felt there was no alternative, five in one single weekend earlier this month“We know because of the survey we did with the GPA that the main concern our players have and are experiencing in terms of their health is their emotional well-being and depression, followed by addictions,” said Cusack.“What we are saying to our players is they wear more than their county jersey. We know you have those issues going on and we want to let you know it doesn’t have to be kept silent, that there is a world-class service to be able to help and support you on your journey back to health.“You are, as a person, far more important than the sport you play and there are far deeper and vast aspects to your life than just your sport and there are dangers in neglecting that,” added Cusack.Cusack will be joined at the Residence of Irish Consulate Noel Kilkenny tomorrow with GPA Chief Executive Dessie who will also announce the identities of this year’s Ireland-US Gaelic Heritage Award Honorees.The Award recipients will be honored at the GPA’s annual Gala Dinner which takes place at the New York Athletic Club on October 2 next.